Applications for the 2019 Code for Canada Fellowship are now closed.

Become a Fellow

How It Works

The Code for Canada fellowship is open to full-stack developers, user experience designers and researchers, and product managers who want to use their skills for good. Cross-functional teams of three fellows spend10 months inside government tackling complex problems and working on things that matter.

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Recruitment & onboarding

We recruit technology professionals with a proven ability to deliver great digital products, and provide them with one month of intensive onboarding to equip them with the tools and practices of 21st century government.

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Discovery & user research

Once embedded with their government hosts, Code for Canada fellows embark on an extensive user research journey to better understand the problem space and learn about the unique challenges facing residents and staff.

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Building, testing & iterating

Fellows work alongside public servants to prototype and test solutions that better meet residents’ needs. Their output demonstrates what’s possible when the latest digital methods are applied to important civic challenges.

“Working with the fellows has inspired us to embrace more agile and user-centered approaches to the way we tackle policy and program challenges.”

Lisa Bifano

Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities

“The fellowship is really an opportunity for growth. On both a professional and personal level, you learn a lot.”

Raluca Ene

2017 Code for Canada Fellow

“It’s more meaningful to me than anything I’ve ever been able to do as a software developer in the private sector.”

Leon Lukashevsky

2017 Code for Canada Fellow

2019 Fellowship Challenges

Public Health Agency of Canada

Fellows at the Public Health Agency in Ottawa will help modernize the department’s granting process, enabling agency partners to focus on improving health outcomes in their communities rather than filling out forms.

Toronto Shelter Support & Housing Administration

Fellows working with Toronto’s Shelter Support and Housing Administration will design digital solutions that help city staff find permanent housing for residents experiencing homelessness.

National Energy Board of Canada

Fellows working with the National Energy Board in Calgary will help make data about important energy projects more accessible for Canadians, so that scientists, landowners and Indigenous communities can fully participate in our national energy dialogue.

Public Services & Procurement Canada

Fellows working with Public Services and Procurement Canada in Ottawa will help reimagine the government travel experience, so public servants can spend less time booking and expensing travel and more time helping residents.

Benefits of Fellowship

Being a Code for Canada fellow is a big job—and highly rewarding. Here’s what successful candidates can look forward to:

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Public service impact

As a Code for Canada fellow, you’ll experience what it’s like to work at the scale of government, and come away knowing you and your team built something that makes life better for residents.

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Ongoing mentorship

Coaching sessions with senior developers, designers and product managers from Code for Canada’s Advisory Panel will help you develop your skills and overcome tough challenges.

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A larger platform

Code for Canada fellows work out loud and in the open! Your work will be featured and seen on our blog, on social media, at professional conferences, and at our annual showcase event.

Past & Present Fellows

Code for Canada fellows have worked at every level of government, designing and building 21st century public services, and delivering better outcomes for residents. Here are some of their stories (you can always find more on our blog):

Daniel Tse

Product Manager, 2017

Daniel worked with staff at Veterans Affairs Canada on a digital tool that helps veterans access important public benefits. After his fellowship, he joined the Canadian Digital Service as a product manager.

“Being a fellow feels really good because we get to work at a scale that’s enormous compared to the private sector.”

Caley Brock

Developer, 2018

Caley is working with the Public Service Commission of Canada to modernize the federal government’s hiring and assessment tools. Prior to her fellowship, Caley was a software developer at Code.org in Seattle.

“Besides the opportunity to test drive a career as a public servant, this was also a great growth opportunity.”

Santiago Mendoza

Developer, 2017

Santiago worked with Ontario’s Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to build a tool that matches learners with education and training opportunities. He’s now a machine learning engineer with the Computer Research Institute of Montréal.

“Doing something you’re good at, feeling appreciated, and making people’s lives better – that’s what being a fellow is like.”

Pallavi Thampi

UX Designer, 2018

Pallavi is helping the City of Toronto implement its new road safety plan by designing data products to engage residents, staff and key stakeholders. Prior to the fellowship, she was a UX designer at Chefs Plate.

“Working in a small but mighty cross-functional team has helped me grow. I’ve deepened my design research practice and broadened my knowledge of how government works.”

The Details

Who are the fellows?

Fellows are mission-driven digital professionals with skills in full-stack development, product management and user experience design. They have a proven track record of delivering great digital products, and are excited about the opportunity to work on things that matter.

Code for Canada fellows are:

Highly collaborative

Adaptable and resilient

Skilled communicators

Motivated to use their skills to make life better for Canadians

Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the fellowship.

What makes a great full-stack development fellow?

Highly proficient full-stack developer

Experience applying industry web and security standards and best practices to your work that can be adopted by others

Experience in developing and implementing product strategies and roadmaps

Experience in content creation is highly valuable

Professional fluency in French is not required, but is an asset on some teams

Our commitment to inclusion

Code for Canada values an environment that is not only free of discrimination, but that also respects difference and allows employees to bring their whole selves to work. We strongly encourage individuals from under-represented groups to apply.